Modular golf training aid and method

ABSTRACT

A modular training aid  10  for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player. The modular training aid  10  comprises a rigid planar reflecting base  12  having a leading edge  14  from which an imaginary intended straight or curved target line  16  extends, a trailing edge  18 , a lower face  20  that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface  24 . A raised rail  25  extends above the upper smooth surface  24  for protecting it from abrasion by the underside of the golf club. A first alignment mirror  50  is positioned on the ground or floor. A second alignment mirror  54  has a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor. A target putting mirror  60  is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface faces the target or hole. An image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player. The invention includes a method for using the modular training aid  10.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.10/068,101, which was filed on Feb. 5, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a training aid for developing puttingskills in the game of golf, for developing consistency and repeatabilityin the set up for a golf stroke, and a method of using the training aid.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] It is known that putting represents almost half of all shotsplayed in the game of golf. Accordingly, the golfer who desires to lowerhis handicap should devote more attention to developing his puttingskills.

[0006] It is known that the outcome of the putting stroke is a function,among other factors, of the trajectory of the putter head and itsalignment upon impact with the golf ball. The player himself or herself,having only one set of eyes, is in a relatively poor position to assessthese factors of performance.

[0007] The prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,124 which issued onMar. 15, 1994. The disclosure of that patent is incorporated herein byreference to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Against this background, it would be desirable to provide atraining aid which would enable the golfer himself or herself to be acritical observer of his or her putting stroke or set up position beforeinitiating a putting stoke or making a golf swing. Ideally, the golfershould be aided by a device that can enable him or her to observevarious critical factors of performance from different vantage points.

[0009] Additionally, it would be desirable for the golfer to have amodular training aid for developing his skills in the game of golf thathas components that can be used in various combinations, depending uponthe aspect or aspects of his stroke upon which he wishes to concentrate.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide amodular training aid having member components that are sized so as tofacilitate portability.

[0011] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide amethod for developing the stroke of a golfer.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed amodular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golfthat can be used by a right- or left-handed player. The modular trainingaid comprises a rigid planar reflecting base with a raised rail thatunderlies the putter or golf club. The base has a leading edge fromwhich an imaginary intended target line extends. The base has a lowerreflecting surface that is supported on the ground or a floor. Theplaying surface is an upper smooth surface. The base reflects an imagethat is primarily composed of putter head path and alignment of theputter head face at impact.

[0013] The rigid planar reflecting base is provided with an elongatedslot with diverging edges that extend rearwardly from the leading edge.The slot receives a golf ball that initially rests on the ground orfloor so that the ball may be propelled along the slot. The edges arespaced apart at their narrowest point by a distance that equals thediameter of a circular planar section of the golf ball that lies in theplane of the upper smooth surface of the base. A clearance is therebycreated between the ball and at least one edge of the elongated slot.The imaginary centerline of the elongated slot continues to theimaginary intended target line that extends from the leading edge.

[0014] In one embodiment, the modular training aid includes a firstalignment mirror that is also positioned on the ground or floor. Thefirst alignment mirror has a reference line positioned adjacent to oneof the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of thealignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of thebase. The alignment mirror reflects an image to the player that includethe upper torso, the hands, extended arms, the head, and shoulders. Inthis manner, the player may check the alignment of these anatomicalmembers in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands inrelation to the putter head.

[0015] In a second embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed amodular training aid including the base and a second alignment mirrorwhich has an edge resting on the ground or floor with a reflectingsurface that is inclined in relation thereto. The second alignmentmirror is provided with a reference line positioned adjacent to one ofthe lateral edges of the base. In this way, the reference line of thesecond alignment mirror lies in the same plane as the central line ofthe base. The second alignment mirror reflects an image to the playerthat includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting theplayer to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginarytarget line.

[0016] In a third embodiment of the invention, the modular training aidincludes the base, and the first and second alignment mirrors.

[0017] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the modular training aidcomprises the reflecting base and a target putting mirror with areflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole inrelation to the reflecting base. The reflective surface is positioned sothat it faces the target or hole and an image including the ball and theputter head is reflected back to the player.

[0018] In a fifth embodiment of the invention, the modular training aidincludes the base, the first and second alignment mirrors, and thetarget mirror.

[0019] The invention includes also a method of use of variouscombinations of the modular training aid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention can be better understood by referencing thedetailed description of the invention in conjunction with the drawings:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a quartering perspective view of a rigid planarreflecting base of the modular training aid in combination with firstand second alignment and target mirrors; and

[0022]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the reflecting base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0023] Against this background, a modular training aid 10 of the presentinvention enables the golfer himself or herself to be a criticalobserver of his or her putting stroke or set up position before making agolf stroke. The device 10 permits him or her to observe variouscritical factors of performance from different vantage points.

[0024] In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed anddepicted in FIGS. 1-2 a modular training aid 10 for developing puttingskills and practicing a consistent set up position in the game of golffor use by a right- or left-handed player. The modular training aid 10comprises a rigid planar reflecting base 12, having a leading edge 14from which an imaginary intended target line 16 extends. The base 12 hasa lower surface 20 that is supported on the ground or a floor.Preferably, this surface is reflecting, so that the sharpness of thereflected image is not marred by abrasion that may be present in anyupper smooth surface 24. The playing surface 24 is an upper smoothsurface that is spaced apart from, and protects the lower face 20. Toprotect the base 12 from abrasion caused by an underside of the putterhead, a raised rail 25 (FIGS. 1-2) extends from the playing surface 24.The raised rail tends to stop the underside of, for example, a putterblade, from interfering with the playing surface 24. As depicted, theraised rail 25 extends from an elongated slot 32 to a trailing edge 18of the base 12. The base 12 reflects an image that is primarily composedof putter head path and alignment of the putter head face at impact.

[0025] The rigid planar reflecting base 12 is provided with an elongatedslot 32 with edges 34,36 that extend rearwardly from the leading edge14. The slot 32 receives a golf ball 28 that initially rests on theground or floor 22 so that the ball 28 may be propelled along the slot32. The edges 34,36 are spaced apart proximate its closed end by adistance which equals the diameter 38 of a circular section of the golfball that lies in the plane of the upper smooth surface 24 of the base12. A clearance is created between the ball 28 and at least one edge ofthe elongated slot 32. The clearance increases with distance from theclosed end of the slot 32. An imaginary centerline between the edges 34,36 of the elongated slot 32 is aligned with an imaginary intended targetline 16 that extends from the leading edge 14 to a real or imaginaryhole or target 62.

[0026] Ideally, the face of the putter head should address the ball sothat an initial segment of the imaginary intended target line 16 isperpendicular to the face. If the ball is struck in such a way that theball fails to leave the face of the putter head along an initial segmentof the imaginary intended target line 16, it will impact one or both ofthe edges 34,36 before exiting the slot 32. This provides immediatefeedback to the golfer which is indicative of his use of the putter.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the size of the opening where the golfball 28 exits the base 12 is wider than at the closed end of theelongated slot 32. Even more preferably, the size of the opening throughwhich the ball 28 emerges upon leaving the base 12 is about ¾ of an inchwider than the distance between the edges 34,36 at the closed end of theelongated slot 32. Thus, the ball 28 travels along an elongated slot 32that becomes progressively wider. This tends to eliminate a ricochetingeffect that may otherwise occur if the ball 28 is putted away from aninitial segment of the imaginary target line 16, and allows the golferto observe a deviation from an intended ball path.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the modular training aid 10includes a first alignment mirror 50 that is also positioned on theground or floor 22. The first alignment mirror 50 has a reference line52 positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges 46 of the base 12 sothat the reference line 52 of the first alignment mirror 50 lies on animaginary extension of the centerline 48 of the base 12. The firstalignment mirror reflects an image to the player that includes the uppertorso, the hands, extended arms, the head, and shoulders. In thismanner, the player may check the alignment of these anatomical membersin relation to the imaginary target line 16 and the hands in relation tothe putter head.

[0029] In a second embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed amodular training aid 10 including the base 12 and a second alignmentmirror 54 which has an edge 56 resting on the ground or floor with areflecting surface that is inclined in relation thereto. The secondalignment mirror is provided with a datum line 58 positioned adjacent toone of the lateral edges 47 of the base 12. In this way, the datum line58 of the second alignment mirror lies in the same plane as thecenterline 48 of the base 12. The second alignment mirror reflects animage to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft,thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relationto the imaginary target line.

[0030] In a third embodiment of the invention, the modular training aid10 includes the base 12, and the first 50 and second 54 alignmentmirrors.

[0031] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the modular training aid10 comprises the reflecting base 12 and a target putting mirror 60 witha reflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole 62 inrelation to the reflecting base 12. The reflective surface is positionedso that it faces the target or hole and an image including the ball andthe putter head is reflected back to the player.

[0032] In a fifth embodiment of the invention, the modular training aid10 includes the base 12, the first 50 and second 54 alignment mirrors,and the target mirror.

[0033] The invention includes also a method of use of variouscombinations of the modular training aid 10.

[0034] Preferably, the reflecting base 12 of a modular training aid 10has a first elongated slot 32 with a length (L) (FIG. 2) and the edges32,34 are spaced apart by a distance (D) at the leading edge 14. It willbe appreciated that the elongated slot 32 as depicted in FIGS. 1-2 haveedges which diverge. If desired, the edges 32,34 may also be orientedsuch that they are parallel with each other. The distance D is greaterthan the diameter 38 of a generally circular section of a golf ball 28that lies in the plane of the upper surface 24 of the base 12. Thus, aclearance is created between the ball 28 and at least one edge of thefirst elongated slot 32.

[0035] Although depicted in FIG. 1 as linear, the imaginary intendedtarget line 16 can be curved. Thus, when the modular training aid 10 isdeployed on a sloped section of ground or playing surface 22, the edges34,36 may in fact be oriented away from the hole 62.

[0036] In an alternate embodiment, the modular training aid 10 has abase 12 with a second elongated slot 40 extending from the trailing edge18. The second elongated slot has a length (l) and second edges 42,44.The edges are spaced apart by a distance (d) at the trailing edge 18. Inthe preferred embodiment, (L) exceeds (l). Optionally, the distance (L)equals the distance (l).

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the base has a centerline 48 extendingbetween lateral edges 46,47 of the base 12 orthogonally to the imaginaryintended target line 16. When a first alignment mirror 50 is used, areference line 52 thereof is positioned adjacent to one of the lateraledges 46,47 of the base 12 so that the reference line 52 of the firstalignment mirror 50 lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline 48of the base. The alignment mirror reflects an image to the player thatincludes the upper torso, the hands, extended arms, the head andshoulders of the player. This permits the player to check the alignmentof them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands inrelation to the putter head. Ideally, at impact, the hands should bevertically positioned ahead of the putter head. If desired, the firstalignment mirror 50 may also be provided with a longitudinal referenceline 64.

[0038] When a second alignment mirror 54 is used, an edge 56 thereofrests upon the ground or floor 22. It has a reflecting surface that isinclined and is provided with a datum line 58 which is positionedadjacent to one of the lateral edges 46,47 of the base 12. In thismanner, the datum line 58 of the second alignment mirror 54 lies in thesame plane as the centerline 48 of the base 12. The second alignmentmirror reflects an image to the player that includes the putter head andputter shaft. Thus, the player is permitted to check the alignment ofthem in relation to the imaginary target line.

[0039] The target putting mirror 60 has a reflective surface (FIG. 1)that is positioned behind a target or hole 62 in relation to the base12. The reflective surface faces the target or hole 62 and reflects animage to the player which includes the ball and the putter head. Ifdesired, the target putting mirror 60 can also be provided with alongitudinal reference line 66.

[0040] In use, the invention includes a method for practicing putting.The method comprises the steps of:

[0041] a. positioning a target mirror with a longitudinal reference linebehind a target or hole;

[0042] b. placing a golf ball on the ground or floor at a distance fromthe target or hole so that the ball lies on an imaginary extension ofthe centerline;

[0043] c. placing a putter head behind the ball;

[0044] d. looking at the target mirror while stroking the ball towardthe target or hole.

[0045] To develop a consistent, repeatable setup position before thegolf swing, another method of using the modular training device of thepresent invention includes the steps of:

[0046] a. positioning a first alignment mirror having a pair of lateraledges so that one of the edges is located between a golf ball and animaginary pedestal line between the feet of the golfer;

[0047] b. placing the face of a golf club behind the golf ball; and

[0048] c. inspecting in the mirror an alignment of the face of the golfclub, the head, shoulders, arms and hands of the golfer before making aswing.

[0049] If desired, the reflecting base may also be provided withcounter-sunk holes 68 proximate its edges by which a tee, for example,may secure the reflecting base to the ground.

[0050] The base may also be provided with other reference lines that maybe helpful to the golfer. These include a datum line which extends theimaginary target line. Also, or alternatively, lines may be providedthat are spaced orthogonally thereto and are located equidistantly aheadof and after the point of impact between the putter face and the golfball.

[0051] It will be appreciated that the second alignment mirror 54represents components of the modular training aid 10 which areself-supporting in their inclined position in relation to the floor orthe ground. The means by which they are self-supporting includes a legor tripod-type arrangement which extends from a rear surface, or a lipwhich extends from a lower edge of the mirrors.

[0052] In use, a left-handed player may merely reverse the position ofthe first alignment mirror and second alignment mirror in relation tothe base. If the base is provided with a second channel, the base neednot be repositioned.

[0053] Preferably, the raised rail 25 has a height above the uppersmooth playing surface 24 that enables the user to practice a pendulumstroke wherein the lower arc of the pendulum simulates a situation inwhich the lower face of the putter just brushes the grass of a puttinggreen. Preferably, the raised rail 25 terminates in downwardly inclinedramps as it approaches the elongated slot 32 and the trailing edge 18 orthe second elongated slot 40.

[0054] The components of the modular training aid can be fabricated fromany suitable material such as MirAcry™, acrylic, plastics, and the like.

[0055] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular training aid for developing puttingskills in the game of golf for use by a right- or left-handed player,the modular training aid comprising: a rigid planar reflecting basehaving a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target lineextends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the groundor a floor and an upper smooth surface from which a raised rail extendsfor protecting the upper smooth surface from abrasion by the undersideof the golf club, the reflecting base being sized for convenientportability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter headpath before, during and after impact with a golf ball, and alignment ofa face of the putter head face at impact; and a first elongated slothaving a length (L) and first edges defined in the reflecting base andextending rearwardly from the leading edge for receiving a golf ballthat initially rests on the ground or floor so that the ball may bepropelled along the slot, the first edges being spaced apart by adistance (D) proximate the leading edge, the distance (D) the diameterof a generally circular planar section of the golf ball that lies in theplane of the upper smooth surface of the base, thereby creating aclearance between the ball and at least one edge of the first elongatedslot that increases with proximity to the leading edge, an imaginarycenterline between the edges of the first elongated slot being alignedwith an intended target line extending from the leading edge.
 2. Themodular training aid of claim 1, wherein the modular training aid ismoved about 180 degrees from an initial position and further comprises:a second elongated slot extending from the trailing edge, the secondelongated slot having a length (l) and second edges defined in thereflecting base and extending rearwardly from the trailing edge forreceiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor sothat the ball may be propelled along the slot.
 3. The modular trainingaid of claim 2, wherein (L) exceeds (l).
 4. The modular training aid ofclaim 2, wherein (L) equals (l).
 5. The modular training aid of claim 1,wherein the base has a pair of lateral edges extending between theleading and trailing edges and a centerline extending therebetweenorthogonally to the imaginary intended target line, the modular trainingaid further comprising: a first alignment mirror positioned on theground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one ofthe lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of thealignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of thebase, the alignment mirror reflecting an image to the player thatincludes the upper torso the hands, extended arms, the head andshoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check thealignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the handsin relation to the putter head.
 6. The modular training aid of claim 1,wherein the base has a pair of lateral edges extending between theleading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there betweenorthogonally to the imaginary intended target line, the modular trainingaid further comprising: a second alignment mirror with an edge restingon the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined tothe ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positionedadjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum lineof the second alignment mirror and the centerline of the base arecoplanar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the playerthat includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting theplayer to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginarytarget line.
 7. The modular training aid of claim 1, further comprising:a target putting mirror having a reflective surface that is positionedbehind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflectivesurface of the target mirror faces the target or hole and an imageincluding the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player.
 8. Amodular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golffor use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aidcomprising: a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge fromwhich an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, alower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an uppersmooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenientportability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter headpath and alignment; and a first elongated slot and first edges definedin the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the leading edgefor receiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor sothat the ball may be propelled along the slot; a second elongated slotextending from the trailing edge second edges defined in the reflectingbase and extending rearwardly from the trailing edge; a pair of lateraledges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerlineextending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended targetline; a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, havinga reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of thebase so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on animaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirrorreflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with animage of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player,thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relationto the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putterhead; a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground orfloor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground orfloor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one ofthe lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the secondalignment mirror and the centerline of the base are coplanar, the secondalignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes theputter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check thealignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line; and a targetputting mirror having a reflective surface that is positioned behind atarget or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface ofthe target mirror faces the target or hole and an image including theball and putter head is reflected back to the player.
 9. A modulartraining aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for useby a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising: arigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which animaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower facethat is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface,the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability andreflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path andalignment; and a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading andtrailing edges and a centerline extending therebetween orthogonally tothe imaginary intended target line; a first alignment mirror positionedon the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent toone of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of thealignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of thebase, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player thatincludes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, headand shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check thealignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the handsin relation to the putter head; a second alignment mirror with an edgeresting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that isinclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum linepositioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that thedatum line of the second alignment mirror lies and the centerline of thebase are co-planar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image tothe player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, therebypermitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to theimaginary target line; and a target putting mirror having a reflectivesurface that is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to thebase so that the reflective surface of the target mirror faces thetarget or hole and an image including the ball and putter head isreflected back to the player.
 10. A modular training aid for developingputting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handedplayer, the modular training aid comprising: a rigid planar reflectingbase having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target lineextends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the groundor a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sizedfor convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed ofputter head path and alignment; and a pair of lateral edges extendingbetween the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending therebetween orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line; a firstalignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a referenceline positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so thatthe reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginaryextension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflectingin image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image ofthe hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, therebypermitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to theimaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head; anda second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floorhaving a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor andbeing provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of thelateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignmentmirror and the centerline of the base are co-planar, the secondalignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes theputter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check thealignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line.
 11. A methodfor practicing putting, comprising the steps of: positioning a targetmirror with a centerline behind a target or hole; place a golf ball onthe ground or floor at a distance from the target or hole so that theball is aligned with the centerline; placing a putter head behind theball; looking at the target mirror while stroking the ball toward thetarget or hole.
 12. A method for developing a consistent, repeatablegolf putting stroke, comprising steps of: positioning a reflecting baseon the ground or floor; positioning an alignment mirror adjacent to alateral edge of the base mirror, the alignment mirror being supported inan inclined position in relation to the ground or floor; placing a golfball on the reflecting base mirror so that the ball is aligned with acenterline of the reflecting base mirror so that the ball rests upon theground between the edges of a channel defined within the base mirror;and placing the face of a putter head behind the golf ball andinspecting in the mirrors an alignment of the face of the putter, thetrajectory of the putter as it is taken away from the golf ball during aback stroke, and the trajectory of the putter head after impact with thegolf ball while observing the motion of the golf ball as it exits thechannel.
 13. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:positioning a first alignment mirror between an imaginary line extendingbetween the toes of the golfer and a lateral edge of the reflectingbase.
 14. A method for developing a consistent, repeatable golf swing,comprising the steps of: positioning a first alignment mirror having apair of lateral edges so that the edges are located between a golf balland an imaginary pedestal line between the feet of the golfer; placingthe face of a golf club behind the golf ball; and inspecting in themirror an alignment of the face of the golf club, the head, shouldersarms and hands of the golfer before making a swing.